The efficacy of autologous blood transfusion in bilateral total knee arthroplasty

A controlled, randomised, prospective study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of the use of a blood re-infusion device in the reduction of allogenic blood requirements of patients undergoing bilateral simultaneous total knee replacements. Thirty-three consecutive patients were randomised to receive allogenic blood only, or a combination of collected and re-infused blood. An average of 1000 ml of drainage blood was salvaged in the study group, resulting in a significant reduction in allogenic blood requirements from 6.3 to 3.8 units in total (P value=0.002). No patients suffered transfusion reactions. We conclude that autologous re-infusion is a safe and effective method of reducing allogenic blood requirements, and as a result, reducing the risks of transmission of infection, and the rate of post-operative infection.